Pig farmers respond to new welfare standards
Pig farmers are cautiously welcoming new animal welfare standards announced by the Government last week.
From the tastiest rasher of bacon to the most succulent slice of ham, the 100% New Zealand Pork, Bacon and Ham Competitions attract butchers and retailers nationwide.
The competitions celebrate New Zealand's finest home-grown pork products and help customers identify and appreciate sustainable pork, bacon and ham which is PigCare Accredited.
The competitions support the country's pig farmers who raise pork solely for New Zealanders.
This year a new category has been introduced – 'Convenient Pork'. Butchers are given the chance to create a great value, simple, yet tasty pork product for people who need a quick and easy week-day meal solution.
An independent panel of 32 judges - leading chefs, food connoisseurs and master butchers - will blind-taste each entry on July 1.
Judging under international rules begins with a 100-point scale and focuses on attributes of aroma, texture, appearance, saltiness, sweetness and overall tastiness.
NZPork are grateful to their judges, many whom return each year, claiming that there's no better pastime than to eat pork all day.
NZPork is proud to host the ninth annual event. "Competition is fierce to claim top awards. It is exciting to see the end results from skilled butchers applying their craft to a product our farmers have taken great pride in producing, " says Ian Carter, NZPork chair.
Entries for the 100% New Zealand Pork, Bacon & Ham Competitions close on June 10 and can be entered online at http://www.pork.co.nz/2016-competition. The awards presentation is on July 25 in Christchurch.
Meat co-operative, Alliance has met with a group of farmer shareholders, who oppose the sale of a controlling stake in the co-op to Irish company Dawn Meats.
Rollovers of quad bikes or ATVs towing calf milk trailers have typically prompted a Safety Alert from Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture across New Zealand.
The Government has announced it has invested $8 million in lower methane dairy genetics research.
A group of Kiwi farmers are urging Alliance farmer-shareholders to vote against a deal that would see the red meat co-operative sell approximately $270 million in shares to Ireland's Dawn Meats.
In a few hundred words it's impossible to adequately describe the outstanding contribution that James Brendan Bolger made to New Zealand since he first entered politics in 1972.
Dawn Meats is set to increase its proposed investment in Alliance Group by up to $25 million following stronger than forecast year-end results by Alliance.
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